The Wild have little flexibility in their budget but a lot of decisions to make when it comes to their roster. What they prioritize will shape their offseason. Star Tribune NHL editor Sarah McLellan analyzes the team’s roster and predicts what’s in store for each player:
Calen Addison
Defense (23 years old)
Quarterback on the power play before dropping down the depth chart.
Contract: Restricted free agent.
Outlook 2023-24: As he has rarely played over the past month and more, Addison seemed like a trade candidate, but re-signing him could help the beleaguered power play.
Matt Boldy
Right winger (22 years old)
Followed a strong first rookie by becoming a 30-goal scorer.
Contract: Signed until 2029-30.
Outlook 2023-24: He’s kicking off a seven-year, $49 million contract extension he signed in January.
Jonas Brodin
Defense (29 years old)
Fought off an injury but was still one of the Wild’s sharpest defenders.
Contract: Signed until 2027-28.
Outlook 2023-24: Would team up with a new defensive partner if Matt Dumba didn’t return.
Connor Dewar
Center (23 years old)
The effective penalty killer has appeared in all but one game.
Contract: Signed until 2023-24.
Outlook 2023-24: His fourth line role helps balance the Wild.
Brandon Duhaime
Left winger (25)
When uninjured, Duhaime offered a secondary scorer.
Contract: Restricted free agent.
Outlook 2023-24: Duhaime has become a fixture in the Wild’s last-six forward lineup.
Matt Dumba
Defense (28 years old)
Bounced back from being a healthy scratch by putting in a solid performance in the second half.
Contract: Free agent.
Outlook 2023-24: After years of rumors, Dumba could finally leave the Wild with the team in a salary cap crisis.
Joel Eriksson Me
Center (26 years old)
Again eclipsed 20 goals and finished with a career-high 61 points before breaking his leg with a week remaining in the regular season.
Contract: Signed until 2028-29.
Outlook 2023-24: Eriksson Ek’s importance to the Wild continues to grow.
Brock Faber
Defense (20 years)
The Maple Grove native left the Gophers and didn’t look out of place with the Wild, fitting in for all six playoff games after playing just twice in the regular season.
Contract: Entry level.
Outlook 2023-24: Considering how seamlessly he’s settled into the Wild’s blue line, Faber looks set for full-time duty.
Marc-Andre Fleury
Goalkeeper (38 years old)
Started most of the Wild’s regular season action but was the backup in all but one playoff game.
Contract: Signed until 2023-24.
Outlook 2023-24: This could be the future Hall of Famer’s final season.
Marcus Foligno
Right winger (31)
Experienced a significant drop in production while in and out of lineup due to injury.
Contract: Signed until 2023-24.
Outlook 2023-24: A healthy Foligno reinforces the style of the Wild.
Frederick Gaudreau
Center (30 years)
Scored a career-high 19 goals as one of the Wild’s most versatile forwards.
Contract: Signed until 2027-28.
Outlook 2023-24: Gaudreau is part of the Wild’s hard core after signing a five-year, $10.5 million contract extension in April.
Alex Goligoski
Defense (37 years old)
Went from being a healthy scratch to a regular, then was inactive again come playoff time.
Contract: Signed until 2023-24.
Outlook 2023-24: Depending on how the defense evolves, Goligoski could stay on the bubble or crack the top six; his contract includes a no-move clause.
Philip Gustavson
Goalkeeper (24 years old)
Initially a substitute for Fleury, Gustavsson moved to a 1A/1B situation while posting the second-best goals-against-average and save percentage in the NHL.
Contract: Restricted free agent.
Outlook 2023-24: Since starting most of the playoffs, Gustavsson has managed more games than Fleury next season wouldn’t be shocking.
ryan hartmann
Center (28 years old)
Returned to his position on the front row after overcoming a bumpy start and injury.
Contract: Signed until 2023-24.
Outlook 2023-24: Can Hartman get back to 30 goals if he’s uninjured?
Marcus Johansson
Left winger (32)
An in-season trade swap, Johansson clicked Boldy almost immediately in an impressive wild comeback.
Contract: Signed until 2024-25.
Outlook 2023-24: Johansson’s second stint is not over. He has already signed a two-year, $4 million extension.
Kirill Kaprizov
Left winger (26)
Reached 40 goals for the second consecutive season despite being out for a month with injury.
Contract: Signed until 2025-26.
Outlook 2023-24: Better execution is on the superstar’s radar after scoring just one playoff goal.
John Klingberg
Defense (30 years)
Klingberg led the power play after arriving in a trade before the deadline.
Contract: Free agent.
Outlook 2023-24: Free agency could lead Klingberg to his fourth team in a year.
Jon Merrill
Defense (31 years old)
A pillar of the third couple until the end of the season.
Contract: Signed until 2024-25.
Outlook 2023-24: Still a veteran option for the back-end.
Jake Middleton
Defense (27 years old)
Filled the top unit with captain Jared Spurgeon after re-signing last summer.
Contract: Signed until 2024-25.
Outlook 2023-24: Keeping Middleton and Spurgeon together makes sense.
Gus Nyquist
Left winger (33)
Acquired while injured, Nyquist healed before the end of the season and boosted the attack.
Contract: Free agent.
Outlook 2023-24: As much impact as Nyquist had in shorthand action, the Wild might not be able to afford to bring him back.
Ryan Reaves
Right winger (36 years old)
The plucky forward improved the toughness of the Wild when he joined the team in November.
Contract: Free agent.
Outlook 2023-24: Whether Reaves stays or leaves could depend on the price of a new deal.
Marco Rossi
Center (21 years old)
Spent most of the season in the minors after kicking the Wild out of training camp but scoreless in 16 games.
Contract: Entry level.
Outlook 2023-24: Will Rossi be ready to stay in the NHL after two 50-point seasons in the American Hockey League?
Mason Shaw
Left winger (24 years old)
Turned a call-up into a permanent gig with the Wild, but his season ended early due to the fourth ACL tear of his career.
Contract: Restricted free agent.
Outlook 2023-24: Shaw is on the mend after the operation, and the Wild plans to find something with him.
Jared Spurgeon
Defense (33 years old)
Continued to make the difference in defense and attack.
Contract: Signed until 2026-27.
Outlook 2023-24: The captain is approaching 900 career games.
Sam Steel
Center (25 years old)
Set career highs in goals, assists and points in his first season with the Wild.
Contract: Restricted free agent.
Outlook 2023-24: Signing Steel gives the team depth down the middle.
Oskar Sundqvist
Right winger (29)
Sundqvist attended all but one game during the playoffs after the Wild traded him.
Contract: Free agent.
Outlook 2023-24: Given how little he’s played against Dallas, don’t be surprised if Sundqvist comes out.
Mats Zuccarello
Right winger (35)
Scored over 20 goals despite going through a long drought at the end of the regular season.
Contract: Signed until 2023-24.
Outlook 2023-24: On the verge of the final season of his contract, Zuccarello is still key to the Wild’s offense.
